The Dillon tribune., 1887-04-29
IsLACKFOOT, IDAHO.
Description Of y Trip to the Valley of the
snake River.


ant to lover Of the beautif,,-especially
to one who seeks, through observation
itself, to find the hidden beauties Of nature
-is TO get aboard the train, just a. mother
earth is being cnveloPed in the deepening
shades Of night, and the curtains Of dark
ness are drawn. Thus, shut out from the
busy world, so to speak, we amuse our.
selves with the surroundings within the
narrow limits Of the car and, forgetful OF
all else, mediate upon the queer customs
and habits Of our people. We are often.
times surprised 10 find ourselves surround
ed bv half q dozen different nationalities,
some going, Others coming, all seeking.
we presume, for that tabled "Fountain Of
Youth and Prosperity" which washes
away every shade Of sorrow and sadness
and watts the weary traveller into that land
Of luxury, which is easier reached through
imagination, than b, rail.
However, surroundings become monoto.
nous after while and We retire, 10 be
rocked by tn. gentle gliding of the car in
w q P'"i'us'J "'~'N WV Wv "''"
10 dreamland, and mcander around through
the fairy halls Of splendor and magnifi
ccncc; become possessor Of untold wealth;
attain to positions Of cmincncc, and have
indeed reached tina, sphere Of human ex
l,tence where the most truly desired OBJ.
jccts Of the heart may be obtained, and all
Is peace and happiness, when suddenly we
arc awakened by the shrill, piercing whis
lie from the engine, aud the dawn Of dav
enables us to see that we have reached
some station along the road, which
seemed to be the destination of number
Of the passengers.
Through the conversation of others we
learn the point reached is Eagle Rock, a
very nice town Of such recent birth, yet
We hardly had time TO get the second
glimpse ere the bell gave the signal to
start, - w. brushed open our eyes, enrohed
in our daily apparel, ready to take in the
scenery to follow which seemed to be
broad expansc Of prairie, widening ont at
times and almost carrying from view the
snow.capped mountains which border the
great Snake River Valley. From what
we could see, il seems that large tracts of
land in that section are yet vacant, for
some reason or other; we presume from
the scarcity of water, or non producing
qualities of the soil, probably the former
reason, as we think through proper cult
yctinn aud tina pf bal
made into tlowery fields Of golden grain,
and think that in the near future such will |
be the case.
With no particular change of scenery,
We are carried along for number of miles,
when, in the distance and at our left, we
discover the little town Of Blackfoot, and
from the view one would take it to be even
OF more Importance than it really is, at the
present day. The church stecples tower.
ing in the air are characteristic Of a good
and prosperous people. 1t is the county
scat of Bingham county, and the court
h"usc adds very much to the appearance Of
the town, it being three story brick, as i.
also the insane asylum.
The insane ASYLUM is indeed Il tine
structure, and AS We were conducted
through the building, We know whereof
We speak. Great credit is due the super.
in'endent, DR.. Givens, for the systematic
and orderly way in which the institution is
conducted. Each ward has its attendant
and all seem courteous and cordial, and
anxious and willing that visitors shall see
al! there is to I've seen, Every thin. was
scrupnlouslv clean aud neat. We noticed,
in particular, the beds which were rolcd in
snowy white, each being provided with I,
comfortable spring, and mattresses. The
inmates were dressed neatly aud looked
clean, and whole r>unc. | must no, fail +,
mention the fact that although completed,
insane, at times, those who are able, and it |
is safe to allow, have the privilege 20 at |
tend both Sabbath school and church, they
being accompanied by their attendants.
VINO nave the" under entire subiection
The attcndcnt in one of the male ward,
called on one o. the inmates to riv, n,
some music, which he did with ;rrl,r,
ease The instrument was srmcthin. new
'o"S, and was nothing more than a number
OF bells suspended between bars, all of tn,
same size, yet OF different, tones and pro.
d"ccd very good music, Take it all in all,
" Is SAD sight to SEE those poor, insane
creatures, SO in numbrr) and tax. into
consideration their conditions, vet some
arc recovering, under the ludicious care
and treatment, of Dr Gi,cns, and we were
informed that some were very nearly read,